Dynamos new coach Saul Chaminuka believes a derby triumph over Caps United at Rufaro Stadium this afternoon could provide the springboard to turn the team's fortunes around.
The nomadic coach was appointed this week to stabilize the team after a horrible start to the season.
A run of one win in the opening eleven matches of the season forced the Harare giants' executive to pull the trigger on Lloyd Chigowe.
Chaminuka, taking charge of a fifth club in two seasons, is desperate for a positive start in his new tenure.
He feels that a win for Dynamos over their number one enemy would be worth much more than three points.
"My wish is to win against Caps United because it will bring a lot of confidence to the boys," Chaminuka said.
"A win will boost their confidence, and I believe that if we win, we'll be difficult to stop. I'm confident that we'll come out of this situation and start winning games."
Chaminuka is taking over a team struggling for goals, with a goal scoring return of just two goals in their opening matches.
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So dire is the goal scoring situation at DeMbare, that of the two goals, one is an own goal.
"I'm worried about (lack of) goals, but I think it's not just about Dynamos. The entire league is struggling with goal-scoring. If one team scores more than two goals in a game, it's a rare occurrence. We'll try all the strategies we can, and hopefully, we'll win."
"I believe that with time, the players will respond to our approach, and we'll start scoring goals. In a few weeks, we'll be in a better position to compete."
The former Zpc Kariba, Bikita Minerals, GreenFuel and Kwekwe United coach is impressed with the material at his disposal, which he thinks is good enough to compete.
"I came to Dynamos after seeing how they play, and I believe that with the material they have, we'll become an unstoppable team given time."
The build-up to the big Harare derby has, however, been marred by threats of stadium boycott by the Dynamos fans who accuse the club's top hierachy of mismanagement.
A section of supporters opposed to club owner Bernard Marriot's way of running the team are calling for a stay away from attending all home matches, starting with this afternoon's match, to force him to fire the executive led by Moses Maunganidze.
But pro-Marriot supporters have vowed to throng Rufaro Stadium in their numbers to support the team.
Chaminuka said he didn't want to be involved much into the off-field fights, and is encouraging supporters to attend the game and play their part as the team look to turn a new leaf.
"I want to say to our fans that you are the 12th player, and we need your support. Come and see what we've done since dropping points against Triangle United. Being a coach on demand isn't just about luck; it's about how I approach the game, plan well, and sometimes have a bit of luck.
"I see a lot of fans coming to this game because of the changes that have been made."
Dynamos' opponent this afternoon is also under a new technical team led by Zambian Ian Bakala who replaced Lloyd Chitembwe who was "kicked upwards" to the role of technical director following an equally bad start to the season.
Bakala, who won the league title with Caps as a player in 2004, took charge of his first game last week against Herentals, a match which ended in a 1-1 draw.
The former midfielder has a proud record of never losing a game against Dynamos during his time as a Caps United player.
“A derby is always a derby. Looking at how I know it and how we are training, I think we are prepared to get the three points this weekend," he said.
Bakala said his boys' perfomance against Herentals gives him reason to be positive, but he demands time to allow the full potential of his project to be realised.
“We have to learn from our mistakes. I know it is very difficult, but we just have to fight. Even when they are not at their best, Dynamos always wake up in the derby, so they will come very prepared,” he said.
Caps United is sitting on 14th position with nine points, one better than Dynamo.
They would be looking for their first win in four matches.
